U.S. patent application number 16/067199 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-24 for communication method based on unlicensed frequency bands, related equipment and system.
The applicant listed for this patent is YULONG COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION SCIENTIFIC (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to XUAN-HANG WU, ZI-JING ZHANG.
Application Number | 20190028930 16/067199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55991011 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190028930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZHANG; ZI-JING ; et
al. |
January 24, 2019 |
COMMUNICATION METHOD BASED ON UNLICENSED FREQUENCY BANDS, RELATED
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEM
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a communication method based on
unlicensed frequency bands, a related equipment and a system, in
which, the method includes: receiving a channel negotiation
request, which includes a channel list that records information of
a target unlicensed channel, the target unlicensed channel being a
channel that needs to be used by the base station and in an
unlicensed frequency band; responding to the channel negotiation
request, and sending the channel list to an access point (AP)
within a preset range, to instruct the AP to work through a channel
included in the channel list except the target unlicensed channel;
notifying the base station to communicate based on the target
unlicensed channel, when a response message returned by the AP for
the channel list is received. By utilizing embodiments of the
present disclosure, efficiency of acquiring available channels in
an unlicensed frequency band can be improved effectively.
Inventors: |
ZHANG; ZI-JING; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; WU; XUAN-HANG; (Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YULONG COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION SCIENTIFIC (SHENZHEN) CO.,
LTD. |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
55991011 |
Appl. No.: |
16/067199 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
September 28, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/100680 |
371 Date: |
June 29, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 28/16 20130101;
H04W 84/12 20130101; H04W 72/0453 20130101; H04W 48/16 20130101;
H04W 16/14 20130101; H04W 24/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 28/16 20060101
H04W028/16; H04W 24/08 20060101 H04W024/08; H04W 16/14 20060101
H04W016/14; H04W 72/04 20060101 H04W072/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 30, 2015 |
CN |
201511022339.2 |
Claims
1. A communication method based on unlicensed frequency bands,
comprising: receiving a channel negotiation request, which
comprises a channel list that records information of a target
unlicensed channel, the target unlicensed channel being a channel
that needs to be used by the base station and in an unlicensed
frequency band; responding to the channel negotiation request, and
sending the channel list to an access point (AP) within a preset
range, to instruct the AP to work through a channel comprised in
the channel list except the target unlicensed channel; and
notifying the base station to communicate based on the target
unlicensed channel, when a response message returned by the AP for
the channel list is received.
2. The communication method of claim 1, wherein sending the channel
list to the AP within the preset range comprising: sequentially
sending a detection request frame carrying the channel list on a
channel that is available used by a wireless local area network
(WLAN), for notifying the AP within the preset range of the channel
list through the detection request frame.
3. The communication method of claim 1, there are a plurality of
APs within the preset range, wherein notifying the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel comprises:
detecting whether a response message returned by each of the
plurality of APs within the preset range is received within a
preset time window after sending the channel list; sending a
channel negotiation response to the base station when the response
message returned by each of the plurality of APs is received, for
notifying the base station to communicate based on the target
unlicensed channel.
4. The communication method of claim 1, after notifying the base
station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel,
further comprising: forbidding scanning the target unlicensed
channel.
5. A communication method based on unlicensed frequency bands,
comprising: receiving a channel list comprising information of a
target unlicensed channel sent by a user equipment, the target
unlicensed channel being a channel that needs to be used by the
base station and in an unlicensed frequency band; detecting whether
a current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel; and switching the current used channel to a channel that
can be used by the WLAN except the target unlicensed channel, when
the current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel; or returning a response message to the user equipment when
the current used channel is different from the target unlicensed
channel, for the user equipment to notify the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel.
6. The communication method of claim 5, wherein the channel list
comprises a plurality of target unlicensed channels, detecting
whether the current used channel is the same as the target
unlicensed channel comprises: detecting whether the current used
channel is the same as any of the plurality of target unlicensed
channels, and determining that the current used channel is the same
as the target unlicensed channel when the current used channel is
the same as any of the plurality of target unlicensed channels.
7. A user equipment, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing
a drive software, which when executed by the processor, causes the
processor to: receive a channel negotiation request issued by a
base station, the channel negotiation request comprising a channel
list that records information of a target unlicensed channel, the
target unlicensed channel being a channel that needs to be used by
the base station and in an unlicensed frequency band; respond to
the channel negotiation request, and send the channel list to an
access point (AP) within a preset range, to instruct the AP to work
through a channel comprised in the channel list except the target
unlicensed channel; notify the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel, when a response message returned by
the AP for the channel list is received.
8. The user equipment of claim 7, wherein the processor further:
sequentially sends a detection request frame carrying the channel
list on a channel that is available used by a wireless local area
network (WLAN), for notifying the AP within the preset range of the
channel list through the detection request frame.
9. The user equipment of claim 7, when there are a plurality of APs
within the preset range, wherein the processor further: detects
whether a response message returned by each of the plurality of APs
within the preset range is received within a preset time window
after sending the channel list; sends a channel negotiation
response to the base station when the response message returned by
each of the plurality of APs is received, for notifying the base
station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel.
10. The user equipment of claim 7, wherein the processor further:
forbids scanning the target unlicensed channel after notifying the
base station to communicate based on the target unlicensed
channel.
11-13. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Chinese Patent
Application No. 201511022339.2, entitled "communication method
based on unlicensed frequency bands, related equipment and system,"
filed on Dec. 30, 2015 in the SIPO (State Intellectual Property
Office of the People's Republic of China), the entire contents of
which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a
technical field of communication, specifically a communication
method based on unlicensed frequency band, a related equipment and
a system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] At present, Long Term Evolution (Long Term Evolution)
systems work in licensed frequency bands, as bandwidth resources of
the licensed frequency bands are lack, thus, frequency bands need
to be licensed to use, thereby usage cost of the licensed frequency
bands is high. In order to reduce the cost, the LTE systems can be
designed to work in unlicensed frequency bands, due to the fact
that available bandwidth in the unlicensed frequency bands is large
and can be used without license, for example, there is 580 Mhz
available bandwidth in 5 Ghz frequency bands.
[0004] In actual communication, systems currently working in the
unlicensed frequency bands include Wireless Local Area network
(WLAN). When the LTE transmits data through the unlicensed
frequency bands, and if the LTE systems use a channel of a
frequency band, which the WLAN belongs to, in the unlicensed
frequency band to transmit data, the WLAN system can also transmit
data through the channel, this can result in channel interference.
In order to solve a problem of the channel interference, and to
realize coexistence of the LTE and the WLAN, a Listen Before Talk
(LBT) mechanism is provided currently. The mechanism mainly
includes that: the LTE monitors a channel in an unlicensed
frequency band; when the channel is monitored to be busy, the
unlicensed frequency band is not occupied; or when the channel is
monitored to be idle, the channel is occupied. That is, in this
situation that the channel is busy, the LTE system can only wait
for the channel to be idle, or select another channel to monitor
after a timeout. The mechanism for acquiring available channels in
the unlicensed frequency bands is blind, a situation that a
plurality of channels are continuously monitored to be busy may be
occurred, thus, the efficiency of acquiring the available channels
in the unlicensed frequency bands is low.
SUMMARY
[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provides a
communication method based on unlicensed frequency bands, a related
equipment and a system, these can effectively improve acquisition
efficiency of available channels in the unlicensed frequency
bands.
[0006] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a
communication method based on unlicensed frequency bands, the
communication method includes:
[0007] Receiving a channel negotiation request, which includes a
channel list that records information of a target unlicensed
channel, the target unlicensed channel being a channel that needs
to be used by the base station and in an unlicensed frequency
band;
[0008] Responding to the channel negotiation request, and sending
the channel list to an access point (AP) within a preset range, to
instruct the AP to work through a channel except the target
unlicensed channel included in the channel list;
[0009] Notifying the base station to communicate based on the
target unlicensed channel, when a response message returned by the
AP for the channel list is received.
[0010] Optionally, sending the channel list to the AP within the
preset range including:
[0011] Sequentially sending a detection request frame carrying the
channel list on a channel that is available used by a wireless
local area network (WLAN), for notifying the AP within the preset
range of the channel list through the detection request frame.
[0012] Optionally, there are a plurality of APs within the preset
range, notifying the base station to communicate based on the
target unlicensed channel including:
[0013] Detecting whether a response message returned by each of the
plurality of APs within the preset range is received within a
preset time window after sending the channel list;
[0014] Sending a channel negotiation response to the base station
when the response message returned by each of the plurality of APs
is received, for notifying the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel.
[0015] Optionally, after notifying the base station to communicate
based on the target unlicensed channel, the communication method
further includes:
[0016] Forbidding scanning the target unlicensed channel.
[0017] Accordingly, the embodiment of the present disclosure
discloses a communication method based on unlicensed frequency
bands, the communication method includes:
[0018] Receiving a channel list including information of a target
unlicensed channel sent by a user equipment, the target unlicensed
channel being a channel that needs to be used by the base station
and in an unlicensed frequency band;
[0019] Detecting whether a current used channel is the same as the
target unlicensed channel;
[0020] Switching the current used channel to a channel that can be
used by the WLAN except the target unlicensed channel, when the
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel;
[0021] Returning a response message to the user equipment when the
current used channel is different from the target unlicensed
channel, for the user equipment to notify the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel.
[0022] Optionally, the channel list includes a plurality of target
unlicensed channels, detecting whether the current used channel is
the same as the target unlicensed channel includes:
[0023] Detecting whether the current used channel is the same as
any of the plurality of target unlicensed channels, and determining
that the current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel when the current used channel is the same as any of the
plurality of target unlicensed channels.
[0024] Accordingly, the embodiment of the present disclosure
further discloses a user equipment, which includes:
[0025] A receiving module, which is configured to receive a channel
negotiation request issued by a base station, the channel
negotiation request including a channel list that records
information of a target unlicensed channel, the target unlicensed
channel being a channel that needs to be used by the base station
and in an unlicensed frequency band;
[0026] A processing module, which is configured to respond to the
channel negotiation request, and send the channel list to an access
point (AP) within a preset range, to instruct the AP to work
through a channel except the target unlicensed channel included in
the channel list;
[0027] A sending module, which is configured to notify the base
station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel, when
a response message returned by the AP for the channel list is
received.
[0028] Optionally, the processing module is specifically configured
to:
[0029] Sequentially send a detection request frame carrying the
channel list on a channel that is available used by a wireless
local area network (WLAN), for notifying the AP within the preset
range of the channel list through the detection request frame.
[0030] Optionally, there are a plurality of APs within the preset
range, the sending module is specifically configured to:
[0031] Detect whether a response message returned by each of the
plurality of APs within the preset range is received within a
preset time window after sending the channel list;
[0032] Send a channel negotiation response to the base station when
the response message returned by each of the plurality of APs is
received, for notifying the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel.
[0033] Optionally, the processing module is further configured to
forbid scanning the target unlicensed channel after the sending
module notifies the base station to communicate based on the target
unlicensed channel.
[0034] Accordingly, the embodiment of the present disclosure
discloses an AP device, which includes:
[0035] An information receiving module, which is configured to
receive a channel list including information of a target unlicensed
channel sent by a user equipment, the target unlicensed channel
being a channel that needs to be used by the base station and in an
unlicensed frequency band;
[0036] A detection module, which is configured to detect whether a
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel;
[0037] A switching module, which is configured to switch the
current used channel to a channel that can be used by the WLAN
except the target unlicensed channel, when a detection result
acquired by the detection module indicates that the current used
channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel;
[0038] An information sending module, which is configured to return
a response message to the user equipment when the current used
channel is different from the target unlicensed channel, for the
user equipment to notify the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel.
[0039] Optionally, the channel list includes a plurality of target
unlicensed channels, the detection module is specifically
configured to:
[0040] Detect whether the current used channel is the same as any
of the plurality of target unlicensed channels, and determine that
the current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel when the current used channel is the same as any of the
plurality of target unlicensed channels.
[0041] Accordingly, the embodiment of the present disclosure
further discloses a communication system based on an unlicensed
frequency band, the communication system includes a base station,
at least one user equipment and at least one AP device, in
which,
[0042] The base station is configured to generate a channel list
that records information of a target unlicensed channel, and send a
channel negotiation request carrying the channel list to the user
equipment, the target unlicensed channel being a channel that needs
to be used by the base station and in an unlicensed frequency
band;
[0043] The user equipment is configured to receive the channel
negotiation request sent by the base station, and respond to the
channel negotiation request, and send the channel list to the at
least one AP device;
[0044] The AP device is configured to receive the channel list sent
by the user equipment, and detect whether a current used channel is
the same as the target unlicensed channel; switch the current used
channel to a channel that can be used by the WLAN except the target
unlicensed channel, when the current used channel is the same as
the target unlicensed channel; or return a response message to the
user equipment when the current used channel is different from the
target unlicensed channel;
[0045] The user equipment is further configured to notify the base
station to communicate with the user equipment based on the target
unlicensed channel, when the response message returned from the AP
device for the channel list is received.
[0046] The embodiment of the present disclosure has following
beneficial effects:
[0047] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the user
equipment can send information of a target unlicensed channel to an
AP within a preset range when the user equipment receives a channel
negotiation request, issued by a base station, including
information of the target unlicensed channel that is needed to be
used, so that the AP performs a channel conflict detection
according to the information of the target unlicensed channel,
namely detects whether a current used channel is the same as the
target unlicensed channel. Thus, the current used channel can be
switched to a channel which can be used by the WLAN except the
target unlicensed channel when the current used channel is the same
as the target unlicensed channel, so that the AP works through the
channel except the target unlicensed channel and returns a response
message to the user equipment, to indicate that the channel has no
conflict. The user equipment can notify the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel after receiving
the response message. Thus, when a communication between the base
station and the user equipment needs to be performed through the
unlicensed channel, blindness in detection can be avoided, and
efficiency of acquiring available channels in an unlicensed
frequency band can be improved effectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] In order to describe the technical solutions in the
embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the following
briefly introduces the accompanying drawings needed for describing
the embodiments, obviously, the accompanying drawings in the
following description show some embodiments of the present
disclosure, and persons of ordinary skill in the art may derive
other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative
efforts.
[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture
provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0050] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a communication method based on
an unlicensed frequency band provided in an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0051] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another communication method
based on an unlicensed frequency band provided in an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0052] FIG. 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of a
communication method based on an unlicensed frequency band provided
in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a user equipment
provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point
device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0055] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication
system based on an unlicensed frequency band provided in an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0056] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another user
equipment provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0057] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another access
point device provided in an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0058] The following clearly and completely describes the technical
solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with
reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the
present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are a part
rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All
other embodiments acquired by persons of ordinary skill in the art
based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative
efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present
disclosure.
[0059] It should be understood that the technical solution of the
embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied in Long Term
Evolution (LTE) system. Along with the continuous development of
the communication technology, the method provided in the
embodiments of the disclosure can be further used for future
networks, such as a 5G network, which is not limited herein.
[0060] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a user
equipment (UE) is also referred to as a terminal, a mobile station
(MS) or a mobile terminal, etc. The user equipment may be a mobile
terminal such as a mobile phone (or called a "cell" phone) and a
computer with a mobile terminal, for example. A base station can be
an evolved base station in LTE, such as an Evolved Node B (eNB or
eNodeB), or a base station in the future network, which is not
limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0061] An application scene of an embodiment of the disclosure is
introduced below. Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic
diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a
communication system includes a base station, a UE and an Access
Point (AP). The base station and the UE can communicate through an
LTE network, the UE and the AP can communicate through a wireless
local area network (WLAN).
[0062] An embodiment of the disclosure discloses a communication
method based on an unlicensed frequency band, a related equipment
and a system, thus, efficiency of acquiring available channels in
an unlicensed frequency band can be improved effectively. The
present disclosure is described in detail below.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a
communication method based on an unlicensed frequency band provided
in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the
method provided in the embodiment of the disclosure can be applied
to the user equipment, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication method
based on the unlicensed frequency band can include the following
steps:
[0064] 101, receiving a channel negotiation request issued by a
base station, the channel negotiation request includes a channel
list that records information of a target unlicensed channel.
[0065] The target unlicensed channel is a channel that needs to be
used by the base station and is in an unlicensed frequency band. It
should be understood that the unlicensed frequency band may also be
referred to as an unlicensed spectrum, a license-exempt frequency
band, a license-exempt frequency spectrum, an unauthorized
frequency band, an unauthorized spectrum, etc.
[0066] The channel negotiation request can be initiated by a base
station, such as an eNodeB. Specifically, the eNodeB and the UE can
communicate directly through an unlicensed frequency band. For
example, when communication quality between the eNodeB and the UE
is poor, the eNodeB can send a channel negotiation request to the
UE, and negotiate to communicate through the unlicensed frequency
band. In a negotiation process, the coexistence with the WLAN
working in the unlicensed frequency band needs to be considered, so
as to avoid a collision with a WLAN channel, namely, to avoid
accessing a same channel and sending data. A channel that the
eNodeB needs to use in an unlicensed frequency band, namely the
target unlicensed channel, can be determined by a mobile network,
which follows a frequency distribution principle of a cellular
mobile communication network. The unlicensed frequency band is
different from frequency bands allocated to adjacent base stations,
so as to avoid a same-frequency interference. Moreover, an
interaction process of channel negotiations between the eNodeB and
the UE can be completed through the 4G or 5G mobile network.
[0067] 102, responding to the channel negotiation request, and
sending the channel list to an access point (AP) within a preset
range, to instruct the AP to work through a channel except the
target unlicensed channel included in the channel list.
[0068] When the UE receives the channel negotiation request sent by
the eNodeB, the UE sends information of the target unlicensed
channel included in the channel negotiation request to an AP within
a preset range, namely an AP that can communicate with the UE. For
example, the UE actively scans information of surrounding APs by
using a WLAN module configured in the UE, so as to send the
information of the target unlicensed channel that is needed to be
used, to the surrounding APs, for instructing the AP(s) to work
through a channel except the target unlicensed channel.
[0069] Specifically, sending the channel list to the AP within the
preset range can be: sequentially sending a detection request frame
carrying the channel list on a channel that is available used by
the WLAN, for notifying the AP within the preset range of the
channel list through the detection request frame. That is, when the
UE receives the channel negotiation request from the base station,
the UE scans the information of the surrounding APs by using the
WLAN module. This process is mainly completed by actively scanning,
that is, the detection request frame is sequentially sent on each
channel that is available used by the WLAN, to detect the
surrounding APs. At this time, the UE needs to send a detection
request one by one on all channels of the WLAN, the detection
request frame is carried with a channel list indicating one or more
target unlicensed channels, which are needed to be used.
[0070] 103, notifying the base station to communicate based on the
target unlicensed channel, when a response message returned by the
AP for the channel list is received.
[0071] In a particular embodiment, when the UE receives the
response message returned by the AP for the channel list, the UE
determines that a current working channel of the AP does not belong
to target unlicensed channels in the channel list, and then the UE
notifies the eNodeB that the eNodeB can use the target unlicensed
channel to communicate.
[0072] Specifically, when there are a plurality of APs within the
preset range, notifying the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel includes: detecting whether a
response message returned by each of the plurality of APs within
the preset range is received within a preset time window after
sending the channel list; and sending a channel negotiation
response to the base station when the response message returned by
each of the plurality of APs is received, for notifying the base
station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel. The
preset time window can be preconfigured by a system. The channel
negotiation response may include the channel list.
[0073] Moreover, optionally, after notifying the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel, the UE can also
be configured to forbid scanning of the target unlicensed channel.
The scanning can be an active scanning or a passive scanning by
using a WLAN module configured in the UE, so as to reduce power
consumption of the UE.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another
communication method based on an unlicensed frequency band provided
in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the
communication method provided in an embodiment of the present
disclosure can be applied in the AP, as shown in FIG. 3, the
communication method based on the unlicensed frequency band may
include following steps:
[0075] 201, receiving a channel list including information of a
target unlicensed channel sent by a user equipment.
[0076] The target unlicensed channel is a channel that needs to be
used by the base station and is in an unlicensed frequency
band.
[0077] 202, detecting whether a current used channel is the same as
the target unlicensed channel.
[0078] The channel list is sent from the eNodeB to the UE when the
UE and the base station (e.g., the eNodeB) need a target unlicensed
frequency band to communicate. After receiving the channel list,
the UE sends the channel list including the information of the
target unlicensed frequency band to the AP within the preset range,
namely the AP that can communicate with the UE. For example, the UE
sequentially sends a detection request frame carrying the channel
list to each channel that can be used by the WLAN, so as to send
the channel list to surrounding APs through the detection request
frame.
[0079] In a specific embodiment, after receiving the channel list
sent by the UE, the AP detects a channel that is currently used,
namely the current used channel, detects whether the current used
channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel in the channel
list, and determines that a channel conflict is existed when the
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel.
[0080] 203, switching the current used channel to a channel that
can be used by the WLAN except the target unlicensed channel, when
the current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel.
[0081] 204, returning a response message to the user equipment when
the current used channel is different from the target unlicensed
channel, for the user equipment to notify the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel.
[0082] When detecting that the channel conflict is existed
currently, the AP can perform a channel switch, to switch the
current used channel to a WLAN channel included in the channel list
except the target unlicensed channel. Then the AP uses the switched
channel as a new current used channel to send a response message to
the UE (e.g., the response message can be a detection request
response or a beacon frame) to indicate that no channel conflict is
existed, a current working channel of the AP is not the target
unlicensed channel in the channel list, and the base station and
the UE can communicate through the target unlicensed channel in the
channel list. If no channel conflict is existed currently, that is,
the current used channel is different from the target unlicensed
channel, the AP returns the response message directly, to indicate
that the current working channel of the AP is not the target
unlicensed channel in the channel list, and the base station and
the UE can communicate through the target unlicensed channel in the
channel list.
[0083] Moreover, the channel list includes a plurality of target
unlicensed channels, detecting whether the current used channel is
the same as the target unlicensed channel includes: detecting
whether the current used channel is the same as any of the
plurality of target unlicensed channels, and determining that the
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel
when the current used channel is the same as any of the plurality
of target unlicensed channels.
[0084] The response message may include information of an AP
channel switch, such as information of a channel used before
switching and information of a channel used after switching. Thus,
the AP and the UE can communicate through the channel used after
the switching.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is an interactive schematic
diagram of a communication method based on an unlicensed frequency
band provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication method based on
the unlicensed frequency band may include following steps:
[0086] 301, generating a channel list that records information of a
target unlicensed channel.
[0087] 302, sending a channel negotiation request carrying the
channel list.
[0088] Specifically, the base station and the user equipment can
directly communicate through the unlicensed frequency band. For
example, when communication quality between the base station and
the user equipment is poor, the base station, such as an eNodeB,
can generate a channel list including information of the unlicensed
frequency band that needs to be used, namely a target unlicensed
channel. Then the base station sends a channel negotiation request
carrying the channel list to the user equipment (UE), to negotiate
to communicate through the unlicensed frequency band. When the
eNodeB is communicating with the UE through the unlicensed
frequency band, a channel conflict with a WLAN channel working in
the unlicensed frequency band needs to be avoided, that is, it is
needed to avoid accessing a same channel and sending data.
[0089] 303, sending the channel list.
[0090] When receiving the channel negotiation request carrying the
channel list sent by the eNodeB, the UE sends the channel list to
an AP within a preset range. Specifically, the WLAN module
configured in the UE actively scans information of surrounding APs.
That is, a detection request frame carrying the channel list is
sequentially sent on each channel that is available used by the
WLAN, so as to send the information of the target unlicensed
channel that is needed to be used to the surrounding APs through
the detection request frame, thereby instructing the AP(s) to work
through a channel in the channel list except the target unlicensed
channel.
[0091] 304, detecting whether a current used channel is the same as
the target unlicensed channel.
[0092] 305, when the current used channel is the same as the target
unlicensed channel, switching the current used channel to a channel
that can be used by the WLAN except the target unlicensed
channel.
[0093] 306, return a response message.
[0094] In a specific embodiment, after receiving the channel list
sent by the UE, the AP detects a channel that is currently used,
namely the current used channel, and detects whether the current
used channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel in the
channel list. If the channel list includes a plurality of target
unlicensed channels, the AP determines whether the current used
channel is the same as any of the plurality of target unlicensed
channels in the channel list). When the current used channel is the
same as the target unlicensed channel, a channel conflict is
determined to be existed.
[0095] When detecting that the channel conflict is existed
currently, the AP can perform a channel switch according to the
channel list, by switching the current used channel to a WLAN
channel included in the channel list except the target unlicensed
channel for working. Then the AP uses the switched channel as a new
current used channel, and sends a response message to the UE
through the switched channel, such as sending a detection request
response or a beacon frame, for indicating that no channel conflict
is existed and confirming that the AP is working through a channel
included in the channel list except the target unlicensed channel.
When detecting that no channel conflict is existed currently, that
is, the current used channel is different from the target
unlicensed channel, the response message is returned directly to
indicate that the AP is working through the channel included in the
channel list except the target unlicensed channel, and the base
station and the UE can communicate through the target unlicensed
channel in the channel list.
[0096] The response message may include information of an AP
channel switch, such as information of a channel used before
switching, information of a channel used after switching, and a
Media Access Control (MAC) address of the AP, etc.
[0097] 307, returning a channel negotiation response.
[0098] In a particular embodiment, when the UE receives the
response message returned by the AP for the channel list, the UE
determines that the current used channel of the AP is not the
target unlicensed channel in the channel list. Then the UE further
responds to the channel negotiation request, and sends the channel
negotiation response to the eNodeB, for notifying the eNodeB to
communicate with the UE through the target unlicensed channel. The
channel negotiation response may include the channel list including
the information of the target unlicensed channel.
[0099] Moreover, optionally, after returning the channel
negotiation response, the UE can also be configured to forbid
scanning of the target unlicensed channel. The scanning can be an
active scanning or a passive scanning by using a WLAN module
configured in the UE, so as to reduce power consumption of the
UE.
[0100] 308, communicating between the base station and the user
equipment through the target unlicensed channel.
[0101] In the embodiment of the disclosure, when the user equipment
receives a channel negotiation request issued by the base station,
the channel negotiation request including information of a target
unlicensed channel that is needed to be used, the user equipment
sends the information of the target unlicensed channel to the AP
within a preset range, to make the AP perform a channel conflict
detection according to the information of the target unlicensed
channel. That is, the AP detects whether a current used channel is
the same as the target unlicensed channel, and switches the current
used channel to a channel that can be used by the WLAN except the
target unlicensed channel when the current used channel is the same
as the target unlicensed channel. Thus, the AP works through the
channel except the target unlicensed channel, and returns a
response message to the user equipment so as to indicate that no
channel conflict is existed. After receiving the response message,
the user equipment notifies the base station to communicate based
on the target unlicensed channel. Thus, when the base station and
the user equipment need to communicate through an unlicensed
channel, blind detection is not carried out any more, and
efficiency of acquiring available channels in an unlicensed
frequency band can be improved effectively.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic structural
diagram of a user equipment provided in an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the user
equipment in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a
receiving module 11, a processing module 12 and a sending module
13, in which:
[0103] The receiving module 11 is configured to receive a channel
negotiation request issued by a base station. The channel
negotiation request includes a channel list that records
information of a target unlicensed channel, and the target
unlicensed channel is a channel that needs to be used by the base
station and is in an unlicensed frequency band.
[0104] The channel negotiation request can be initiated by a base
station, such as an eNodeB. Specifically, the eNodeB and the UE can
communicate directly through an unlicensed frequency band. For
example, when communication quality between the eNodeB and the UE
is poor, the eNodeB can send a channel negotiation request to the
UE, and negotiate to communicate through the unlicensed frequency
band. In a negotiation process, the coexistence with the WLAN
working in the unlicensed frequency band needs to be considered, so
as to avoid a collision with a WLAN channel, namely, to avoid
accessing a same channel and sending data. A channel that the
eNodeB needs to use in an unlicensed frequency band, namely the
target unlicensed channel, can be determined by a mobile network,
which follows a frequency distribution principle of a cellular
mobile communication network. The unlicensed frequency band is
different from frequency bands allocated to adjacent base stations,
so as to avoid a same-frequency interference. Moreover, an
interaction process of channel negotiations between the eNodeB and
the UE can be completed through the 4G or 5G mobile network.
[0105] The processing module 12 is configured to respond to the
channel negotiation request, and send the channel list to an AP
within a preset range, to instruct the AP to work through a channel
except the target unlicensed channel included in the channel
list.
[0106] In a specific embodiment, when the receiving module 11
receives the channel negotiation request sent by the eNodeB, the
processing module 12 sends information of the target unlicensed
channel included in the channel negotiation request to an AP within
a preset range, namely an AP that can communicate with the UE. For
example, the processing module 12 actively scans information of
surrounding APs by using a WLAN module configured in the UE, so as
to send the information of the target unlicensed channel that is
needed to be used, to the surrounding APs, for instructing the
AP(s) to work through a channel except the target unlicensed
channel.
[0107] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the processing module 12 is specifically configured to:
[0108] Sequentially send a detection request frame carrying the
channel list on a channel that is available used by a WLAN, for
notifying the AP within the preset range of the channel list
through the detection request frame.
[0109] The sending module 13 is configured to notify the base
station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel, when
a response message returned by the AP for the channel list is
received.
[0110] Optionally, in an embodiment of the preset disclosure, there
are a plurality of APs within the preset range, the sending module
13 is specifically configured to:
[0111] Detect whether a response message returned by each of the
plurality of APs within the preset range is received within a
preset time window after sending the channel list;
[0112] Send a channel negotiation response to the base station when
the response message returned by each of the plurality of APs is
received, for notifying the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel.
[0113] Moreover, optionally, in an embodiment of the present
disclosure:
[0114] The processing module 12 is further configured to forbid
scanning the target unlicensed channel after the sending module 13
notifies the base station to communicate based on the target
unlicensed channel.
[0115] In a particular embodiment, when the UE receives the
response message returned by the AP for the channel list, the UE
determines that a current working channel of the AP does not belong
to target unlicensed channels in the channel list, then the sending
module 13 send the channel negotiation response to the eNodeB, to
notify that the eNodeB can use the target unlicensed channel to
communicate. The channel negotiation response may include the
channel list.
[0116] Moreover, after the sending module 13 notifies the base
station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel, the
processing module 12 can also be configured to forbid scanning of
the target unlicensed channel. The scanning can be an active
scanning or a passive scanning by using a WLAN module configured in
the UE, so as to reduce power consumption of the UE.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic structural
diagram of an access point device provided in an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, an AP device
in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an information
receiving module 21, a detection module 22, a switching module 23
and an information sending module 24, in which:
[0118] The information receiving module 21 is configured to receive
a channel list including information of a target unlicensed channel
sent by a user equipment. The target unlicensed channel is a
channel that needs to be used by the base station and is in an
unlicensed frequency band.
[0119] The detection module 22 is configured to detect whether a
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel.
[0120] The channel list is sent from the eNodeB to the UE when the
UE and the base station (e.g., the eNodeB) need a target unlicensed
frequency band to communicate. After receiving the channel list,
the UE sends the channel list including the information of the
target unlicensed frequency band to the AP within the preset range,
namely the AP that can communicate with the UE. For example, by
using an active scanning method, the UE sequentially sends a
detection request frame carrying the channel list to each channel
that can be used by the WLAN, so as to send the channel list to
surrounding APs through the detection request frame.
[0121] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
channel list includes a plurality of target unlicensed channels,
the detection module 22 is specifically configured to:
[0122] Detect whether the current used channel is the same as any
of the plurality of target unlicensed channels, and determine that
the current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel when the current used channel is the same as any of the
plurality of target unlicensed channels.
[0123] In a specific embodiment, after the AP receives, through the
information receiving module 21, the channel list sent by the UE,
the detection module 22 detects a channel that is currently used,
namely the current used channel, detects whether the current used
channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel in the channel
list, and determines that a channel conflict is existed when the
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel.
If the channel list includes a plurality of target unlicensed
channels, the detection module 22 determines whether the current
used channel is the same as any of the plurality of target
unlicensed channels.
[0124] The switching module 23 is configured to switch the current
used channel to a channel that can be used by the WLAN except the
target unlicensed channel, when a detection result acquired by the
detection module 22 indicates that the current used channel matches
the target unlicensed channel.
[0125] The information sending module 24 is configured to return a
response message to the user equipment when the current used
channel is different from the target unlicensed channel, for the
user equipment to notify the base station to communicate based on
the target unlicensed channel.
[0126] When the detection module 22 detects that a channel conflict
is existed currently, the switching module 23 performs a channel
switch by switching the current used channel to a WLAN channel
except the target unlicensed channel included in the channel list,
and uses the switched channel as a new current used channel. The
information sending module 24 sends a response message to the UE
(e.g., the response message can be a detection request response or
a beacon frame) to indicate that no channel conflict is existed, a
current working channel of the AP is not the target unlicensed
channel in the channel list, and the base station and the UE can
communicate through the target unlicensed channel in the channel
list. If the detection module 22 detects that no channel conflict
is existed currently, that is, the current used channel is
different from the target unlicensed channel, the information
sending module 24 returns the response message directly, to
indicate that the current working channel of the AP is not the
target unlicensed channel in the channel list, and the base station
and the UE can communicate through the target unlicensed channel in
the channel list.
[0127] Moreover, please refer to FIG. 7, which is a schematic
structural diagram of a communication system based on an unlicensed
frequency band provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication system includes
a base station 1, at least one user equipment 2 and at least one AP
device 3, in which:
[0128] The base station 1 is configured to generate a channel list
that records information of a target unlicensed channel, and send a
channel negotiation request carrying the channel list to the user
equipment 2. The target unlicensed channel is a channel that needs
to be used by the base station 1 and is in an unlicensed frequency
band;
[0129] The user equipment 2 is configured to receive the channel
negotiation request sent by the base station 1, and respond to the
channel negotiation request, and send the channel list to the at
least one AP device 3;
[0130] The AP device 3 is configured to receive the channel list
sent by the user equipment 2, and detect whether a current used
channel is the same as the target unlicensed channel; switch the
current used channel to a channel that can be used by the WLAN
except the target unlicensed channel, when the current used channel
is the same as the target unlicensed channel; or return a response
message to the user equipment 2 when the current used channel is
different from the target unlicensed channel;
[0131] The user equipment 2 is further configured to notify the
base station 1 to communicate with the user equipment 2 based on
the target unlicensed channel, when the response message returned
from the AP device 3 for the channel list is received.
[0132] Moreover, in an embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0133] The user equipment 2 is further configured to sequentially
send a detection request frame carrying the channel list on a
channel that is available used by a WLAN, for notifying the AP
within the preset range of the channel list through the detection
request frame.
[0134] Moreover, optionally, in an embodiment of the present
disclosure, there are a plurality of APs within the preset
range;
[0135] The user equipment 2 is further configured to detect whether
a response message returned by each of the plurality of APs within
the preset range is received within a preset time window after
sending the channel list; send a channel negotiation response to
the base station 1 when the response message returned by each of
the plurality of APs is received, for notifying the base station 1
to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel.
[0136] Moreover, in an embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0137] The user equipment 2 is further configured to forbid
scanning the target unlicensed channel after notifying the base
station 1 to communicate based on the target unlicensed
channel.
[0138] Moreover, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
channel list includes a plurality of target unlicensed
channels,
[0139] The AP device 3 is further configured to detect whether the
current used channel is the same as any of the plurality of target
unlicensed channels, and determine that the current used channel is
the same as the target unlicensed channel when the current used
channel is the same as any of the plurality of target unlicensed
channels.
[0140] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a user
equipment can send information of a target unlicensed channel to an
AP within a preset range when the user equipment receives a channel
negotiation request, issued by a base station, including
information of the target unlicensed channel that is needed to be
used, so that the AP performs a channel conflict detection
according to the information of the target unlicensed channel,
namely detects whether a current used channel is the same as the
target unlicensed channel. Thus, the current used channel can be
switched to a channel which can be used by the WLAN except the
target unlicensed channel when the current used channel is the same
as the target unlicensed channel, so that the AP works through the
channel except the target unlicensed channel and returns a response
message to the user equipment, to indicate that the channel has no
conflict. The user equipment can notify the base station to
communicate based on the target unlicensed channel after receiving
the response message. Thus, when a communication between the base
station and the user equipment needs to be performed through the
unlicensed channel, blind detection is not carried out any more,
and efficiency of acquiring available channels in an unlicensed
frequency band can be improved effectively.
[0141] Moreover, Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic
structural diagram of another user equipment provided in an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the user
equipment in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a
communication interface 300, a memory 200 and a processor 100, the
processor 100 is connected to the communication interface 300 and
the memory 200. The memory 200 may be a high-speed random access
memory (RAM) memory or a non-volatile memory, such as at least one
disk storage. The communication interface 300, the memory 200 and
the processor 100 can be connected through a data connection using
a bus, and also can be through another data connection using other
modes. In an embodiment, for illustration, a bus connection is used
herein. In which,
[0142] The memory 200 is configured to store driving software;
[0143] The processor 100 reads the drive software from the memory
200 and executes under the action of the drive software,
including:
[0144] Receiving a channel negotiation request issued by a base
station through the communication interface 300, the channel
negotiation request including a channel list that records
information of a target unlicensed channel, the target unlicensed
channel being a channel that needs to be used by the base station
and in an unlicensed frequency band;
[0145] Responding to the channel negotiation request, and sending
the channel list to an AP within a preset range, to instruct the AP
to work through a channel except the target unlicensed channel
included in the channel list;
[0146] Notifying the base station to communicate based on the
target unlicensed channel through the communication interface 300,
when a response message returned by the AP for the channel list is
received.
[0147] Optionally, the processor 100 reads the drive software from
the memory 200 and executes under the action of the drive software
to send the channel list to the AP within the preset range, which
includes steps of:
[0148] Sequentially sending a detection request frame carrying the
channel list on a channel that is available used by a WLAN, for
notifying the AP within the preset range of the channel list
through the detection request frame.
[0149] Optionally, there are a plurality of APs within the preset
range, the processor 100 reads the drive software from the memory
200 and executes under the action of the drive software to notify
the base station to communicate based on the target unlicensed
channel, which includes steps of:
[0150] Detecting whether a response message returned by each of the
plurality of APs within the preset range is received within a
preset time window after sending the channel list;
[0151] Sending a channel negotiation response to the base station
through the communication interface 300 when the response message
returned by each of the plurality of APs is received, for notifying
the base station to communicate based on the target unlicensed
channel.
[0152] Optionally, after notifying the base station to communicate
based on the target unlicensed channel, the processor 100 reads the
drive software from the memory 200 and executes under the action of
the drive software to further:
[0153] forbid scanning the target unlicensed channel.
[0154] Moreover, referring to FIG. 9, which is a schematic
structural diagram of another access point device provided in an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the AP device
in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a
communication interface 600, a memory 500 and a processor 400, the
processor 400 is connected to the communication interface 600 and
the memory 500. The memory 500 may be a high-speed RAM memory or a
non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage. The
communication interface 600, the memory 500 and the processor 400
can be connected through a data connection using a bus, and also
can be through another data connection using other modes. In an
embodiment, for illustration, a bus connection is used herein. In
which,
[0155] The memory 500 is configured to store driving software;
[0156] The processor 400 reads the drive software from the memory
500 and executes under the action of the drive software,
including:
[0157] Receiving a channel list including information of a target
unlicensed channel sent by a user equipment through the
communication interface 600, the target unlicensed channel being a
channel that needs to be used by the base station and in an
unlicensed frequency band;
[0158] Detecting whether a current used channel is the same as the
target unlicensed channel;
[0159] Switching the current used channel to a channel that can be
used by the WLAN except the target unlicensed channel, when the
current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel;
[0160] Returning a response message to the user equipment through
the communication interface 600 when the current used channel is
different from the target unlicensed channel, for the user
equipment to notify the base station to communicate based on the
target unlicensed channel.
[0161] Optionally, the channel list includes a plurality of target
unlicensed channels, the processor 400 reads the drive software
from the memory 500 and executes under the action of the drive
software to detect whether a current used channel is the same as
the target unlicensed channel, which includes steps of:
[0162] Detecting whether the current used channel is the same as
any of the plurality of target unlicensed channels, and determining
that the current used channel is the same as the target unlicensed
channel when the current used channel is the same as any of the
plurality of target unlicensed channels.
[0163] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each
embodiment have different emphasis. If some descriptions in an
embodiment are not described in detail, these descriptions can be
referred to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.
[0164] In several embodiments provided by the present disclosure,
it should be understood that, the devices and the methods disclosed
by the present disclosure can be realized in other manners. The
devices in the embodiments described above are merely illustrative,
for example, the division of the modules are merely divided
according to logic function, and in actual implementation, another
division mode can be used, for example, multiple modules or
components can be combined or can be integrated into another
system, or some features or functions can be ignored or not
executed. For another aspect, the displayed or discussed mutual
coupling or direct coupling or communication connection can be
through some interfaces, an indirect coupling or communication
connection of the devices or the modules can be electrical,
mechanical or other forms.
[0165] The modules illustrated as separate parts may or may not be
physically separated, the component displayed as a module may be or
may not be a physical module, or may be distributed to a same
location or distributed to a plurality of network units. According
to actual requirements, some or all of the modules can be selected
to achieve the purpose of the scheme of the embodiment.
[0166] In addition, the functional modules in various embodiments
of the present disclosure can be integrated in a processing module
or can be a signal physical module, and the two or more modules can
be integrated in one module. The integrated module can be
implemented in the form of hardware and also can be implemented in
the form of a hardware with software function modules.
[0167] The integrated module implemented in the form of a software
functional module can be stored in a computer readable storage
medium. The software functional module is stored in a storage
medium, and includes a plurality of instructions for enabling a
computer device (e.g., a personal computer, a server, a network
device etc.) or a processor to execute some steps of the method
disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The storage
medium includes a USB flash disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only
memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, an
optical disk or other media capable of storing program codes.
[0168] Persons of skill in the art can clearly understand that, for
describing conveniently and concisely, the division of each
functional module is merely for illustration, in actual
implementation, the above functions can be distributed to different
function modules for executing according to requirements, that is,
internal structure of the devices can be divided into different
functional modules so as to complete all or part of the functions
described above. The specific working process of the devices
described above, can refer to the corresponding process in the
method embodiments, and the description is not repeated herein.
[0169] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are
merely used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present
disclosure and are not limited thereto; although the present
disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the
foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that, the technical scheme described in the
embodiments can still be modified, or equivalently replacing some
or all of the technical features; and the modification or
replacement does not make the essence of the corresponding
technical scheme depart from the scope of the technical solutions
of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
* * * * *